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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes April 19, 2012 Page 3 of 13 He said the project proposed represents a significant part of the City's current revitalization strategy, which also includes the Kaiser development, OSIsoft's campus expansion in the San Leandro Crossings project, and the Lit San Leandro efforts to attract technology businesses. He said the developer's $11 million investment could produce $100,000 -plus annually in sales tax and 113 jobs as well as property tax revenue. The proposal represents an effort to balance the importance of bringing in a high - quality project that respects community input with a particular interest in tenant mix, while allowing enough flexibility to ensure the project's financial viability and ability to meet retailer needs. Mr. Millenbah said staff recommends Planning Commission approval of 1) Planned District (PD) rezoning; 2) a Planned Development Permit; and 3) categorical exemption from CEQA, pursuant to Public Resources Code Sections 21083 -21084 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15332. PD Rezoning Mr. Millenbah explained that the project is currently zoned DA -1(S). Planned District rezoning would allow for standards tailored to the specific circumstances of the property and provide flexibility for future uses. Because the site is in the midst of a transit area, keeping the interpretations of future uses open is important, Mr. Millenbah said. That flexibility means that residential units eventually could be added to the site. Planned Development Permit Relative to the permit granting the right to build this project subject to its conditions of approval, Mr. Millenbah said the Planning Commission should review the Planned Development Permit in the context of guidelines such as the Downtown Plan and Urban Design Guidelines and the Downtown San Leandro Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Strategy. Other considerations include site planning, traffic circulation and pedestrian access. CEQA Exemption Staff reports that this project should be exempt from CEQA as a Class 32 infill exemption consistent with the City's General Plan and occupying a site of less than five acres. Furthermore, because the site is within the TOD Strategy area, in 2007 it was subject to an approved Environmental Impact Report. That EIR was premised on a greater- intensity development than what's proposed now. Referring to the Recommended Conditions of Approval, Commissioner Dlugosh asked about two items related to residential development that are listed in the Building and Safety Services section, as well as the special inspector. Mr. Millenbah indicated that the items noted will be deleted because they aren't applicable. He explained that the Building Department opted to include the special inspector language to enable calling in these outside inspectors if needed. Until the new parking garage is completed, Commissioner Dlugosh asked whether the City has made provisions to accommodate the Wednesday Farmers' Market parking overflow. Mr. Sims said the timing of this project is such that parking will remain available for as much as 75% of the Farmers' Market season. After that, Farmers' Market patrons will have to park elsewhere. Commissioner Dlugosh asked whether any studies have been undertaken to address that issue, because the Farmers' Market is important enough to the community to close off Parrott Street one night a week. Noting that even after the new parking garage opens, people might not want to walk all the way from Callan and Estudillo Avenues to Parrott Street, he said it seems the City would make plans to facilitate parking. Mr. Sims acknowledged that there isno solution for the problem yet, but recognized the concern. Commissioner Fitzsimons said as he understands it, "special inspector" is a fairly specific term that relates to structural work, particularly welding. Developers hire special inspectors to sign off on all such work, confirming that it's been completed according to the Building Code. City staff is always a third party in such circumstances. Mr. Millenbah said that the City's structural engineer puts that condition in to reserve the right to bring in a special inspector at its discretion.